New Hampshire Lakes Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO RESTORE AND PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LAKES.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 57%
- Employees
- 284
- Volunteers
- 574
- Highest pay
- $135,809, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $37,142 spent. ADVOCACY: NH LAKES ADVOCATES FOR CLEAN AND HEALTHY LAKES. THIS WORK INCLUDES DIRECT LOBBYING WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON BILLS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S 1,000 LAKES, AND TO ENABLE THE APPROPRIATE STATE AGENCIES TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT CORRESPONDING CLEAN AND HEALTHY LAKE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. NH LAKES ALSO WORKS AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO HELP LOCAL PARTNERS IMPLEMENT LAKE-FRIENDLY ORDINANCES. IN ADDITION, NH LAKES PERFORMS INDIRECT LOBBYING BY ENGAGING THE NH LAKES COMMUNITY IN GRASSROOTS LOBBYING OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE. NH LAKES PERIODICALLY CONDUCTS RESEARCH TO PROVIDE THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FACTUAL BASIS FOR ITS POSITIONS.
- $915,957 spent. CONSERVATION: NH LAKES ADMINISTERS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS, THE LARGEST OF WHICH IS THE LAKE HOST PROGRAM (LH). LH IS AN EDUCATIONAL AND COURTESY BOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY NH LAKES IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL GROUPS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES. NH LAKES HIRES APPROXIMATELY 270 SEASONAL LAKES HOSTS WHO WORK ALONGSIDE 284 VOLUNTEERS AT APPROXIMATELY 100 OF THE MOST HIGHLY-USED PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS IN THE STATE. THE NH LAKES LAKE-FRIENDLY LIVING PROGRAM ENGAGES PROPERTY OWNERS STATEWIDE TO ADOPT LAKE-FRIENDLY LIVING. PROPERTY OWNERS WORK TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO EARN THE COVETED LAKESMART AWARD.
- $247,247 spent. EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH: EVERY YEAR, NH LAKES HOSTS LAKES CONGRESS, AN EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND NETWORKING EVENT. LAKES CONGRESS PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR 300 OR MORE LAKE AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCE STEWARDS, LAKE MANAGERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND MUNICIPAL AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO COME TOGETHER TO NETWORK AND LEARN. AT LAKES CONGRESS, ATTENDEES GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, AND ORGANIZE TO RESTORE AND PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S 1,000 LAKES AND PONDS. NH LAKES ALSO PRESENTS A SERIES OF POPULAR WEBINARS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.